changing British attitudes to the Boer War Flashcards
what were the reasons for an increase in the attention to the Boer Wars?
many families had members serving in the war
there was so much newspaper coverage
reporting of news became much quicker thanks to the telephone and telegraph
which battle caught the most public attention?
Spion Kop
how was the Battle of Spion Kop portrayed in the media?
photography
critical newspapers
photography
photographs of dead British soldiers on the hill were brought home and appeared in the newspapers
these were real action shots, unlike Fenton’s photos in Crimea
showed the shocking realities of the war
critical newspapers
most newspapers launched an attack on Buller and his strategy as well as the government for not accepting help from the colonies
how did the British change their approach after the failure of Black Week?
a recruitment drive for young men was launched throughout the Empire
deficiencies in mounted infantry were addressed with more horsemen recruited as cavalry
better intelligence and recon introduced —> Fredrick Burnham
over-reliance on the railways as a weakness was solved by using more armoured trains
what did the press label Buller?
Sir Reverse
how was the arrival of Roberts and Kitchener portrayed in the news?
was massively welcomed by the press
both portrayed already by the press as heroes of the British Empire with both having incredible success in colonial wars previously
which soon to be politician was famous for his first-hand journalism during the Boer War?
Winston Churchill
which newspaper did Churchill work for?
The Morning Post
what happened to Churchill during the Boer War?
he helped rescue an ambushed armoured train
he was captured by the Boers- the escaped
was one of the first Brits to enter Ladysmith and Pretoria
what happened to Churchill after the war?
he was elected as MP at Oldham in 1900
why was the 1900 election labelled as a Khaki election?
it was heavily influenced by war in SA
what were Churchill’s reports like?
they backed the war- he was a staunch imperialist
they were generally supportive of the BA but did outline certain deficiencies in the BA
what impact did Churchill’s reports have on the public?
they were very interesting reads which allowed readers to feel close to the action
similar to the work of William H Russell as Churchill was at the frontlines as a journalist
what had the successes at Mafeking and Kimberley prompted in Britain?
street parties and jubilation
mood became optimistic
shows how military victory had a massive impact on public opinion
how did the war have an impact on popular culture?
songs became more patriotic and pro-army
literature took a more imperialistic and pro-war approach
examples of Boer War songs?
Tararaboomdeeay
Goodbye Dolly Gray
what was the public opinion on the Boers?
there was a feeling of respect for the determined ‘farmers’ fighting the British
however after Black Week, opinions massively changed towards aggression
which newspapers took a strong pro-war stance?
The Daily Mail
The Daily Express
when was the Daily Mail founded?
1896
what views did the Daily Mail and Daily Express express? ;)
it was very imperialistic and ensure stories about the Empire took the front page
JINGOISTIC
what happened to the editor of the Daily Chronicle in 1899?
was sacked by the owner because he refused to take a more pro-war stance
as the war progressed how did newspaper content change?
became less supportive of the war
largely reflective of the British public
